The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term have been a breath of fresh air for American families across the country. From keeping men off of our daughters’ sports teams and out of their locker rooms, to fighting back against the transgender agenda that has irreversibly harmed so many families, Trump has made it clear that he is putting the American family first. And as I sit here, with my unborn child in my belly, these actions resonate deeply with me. This is my first pregnancy, and the weight of bringing a new life into this world makes me cherish policies that safeguard the world I want my baby to experience.
Despite these wonderful and necessary policies, the American family remains in crisis.
Marriage and birth rates have plummeted over the past several decades. Fewer and fewer Americans are becoming parents, and those who do are having fewer children. Behind the stark statistic of 1.6 births per woman lies a quieter truth: countless men and women just like my husband and me dream of larger families but face daunting obstacles. Data shows Americans want more children than they are having, but finances, housing, and employment often block the way to the fulfillment of these desires.
It’s time for our country to be creative and support policies that will effectively address the financial barriers facing families. These barriers weighed heavily on my husband and I when we decided to start our family—a concern we share with millions. For some, this barrier feels insurmountable. In 2024, nearly one in four Millennial or Gen-Z Americans planned not to have children for financial reasons. We invented the telephone, sent astronauts to the moon, and created the internet. Surely we can find better ways for families to thrive economically.
There’s plenty of support that Congress could provide for families. Easing the tax burden on parents and employers and extending the child tax credit would allow parents to keep more of the money they earn, which could be used to ease the costs of a new child. Between the expenses of raising a child and the harmful impacts of former President Joe Biden’s economic policies, parents need support.
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One powerful solution to offset these costs and help growing families is expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC). President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill has finally passed the House and permanently raises the CTC to $2,000 for children under the age of 17, and indexes it to inflation. It also increases the CTC by an additional $500 over the next three years, helping put parents back on even financial footing after being ravaged by Bidenflation. This expansion of the CTC would put thousands of dollars back into parents’ pockets annually, easing the costs of childcare, diapers, and groceries. For a family with two children, this could mean up to $5,000 a year—a lifeline for covering rent, medical bills, or saving for the family’s future.
Studies show that previous CTC expansions reduced child poverty by nearly 30% and helped families afford necessities without cutting back on work. The CTC is not just a tax break; it’s an investment in stronger families and healthier children.
Other tax policies could further help parents as they welcome new additions to their family. A one-time “baby bonus” tax credit upon the birth or adoption of a child would put money back into parents’ wallets. Or by offering tax credits to employers who provide paid family leave for mothers, the government can incentivize businesses to offer family-friendly benefits, giving us precious and needed time to bond with our babies without the pressure to immediately rush back to work.
As I prepare to soon welcome my first baby, I am grateful that our President is working so hard to prioritize American families. The House of Representatives has already championed President Trump’s vision of expanding the Child Tax Credit, and I am hopeful that the Senate will likewise understand the importance of this life-changing policy and take similar action.
My child deserves a world where starting a family is a joy, not a struggle. With an expansion of the CTC, alongside the president’s other pro-family policies. I believe together we can Make Families Great Again.
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